Album Notes

BIOGRAPHY

SHAPING THE FUTURE
"In making this music my own," notes Terry, "it provides a link in my own experience to transform and move past barriers. Similarly, I feel a calling to bring the Negro Spiritual to the forefront. When I travelled the South, I saw the pain of these songs still alive and I felt a sense of urgency to tell these haunting stories on my violin, it is my desire to continue the work of my ancestors from a new perspective, expressed through contemporary application." These influences together with Lesa's musical abilities produce a unique voice in the field: a voice certain to shape the future of Jazz, Blues, and the Negro Spiritual.

BACKGROUND:
RENAISSANCE MUSICIAN

Lesa Terry has been presented throughout Europe and the United States as a performer, lecturer, and resident artist. Ms.Terry is currently an active member of the music faculty at California State University at Los Angeles teaching courses in "Jazz in American Culture" and "Elements of Jazz Harmony". As a former faculty member, Lesa Terry has taught at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia; New York University; the University of Massachusetts; Alabama State University; Quad City Arts Educational Program; Santa Monica College, California; The New School, New York City; University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the University of New Hampshire.
Ms. Terry has performed as soloist and leader of her own ensemble for The Vermont Jazz Society, The Los Angeles African American Museum, The Jazz Gallery in New York City, The Henry Mancini Institute, The International Association of Jazz Educators, The Duke Ellington Conference, The Beem Foundation, Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Performing Arts Series, and an all star tribute to sculptor Ed Dwight.
As a founding member of the Grammy nominated Uptown String Quartet and the Double Quartet founded by the lengendary drummer, Max Roach, Lesa has composed, arranged, and performed extensively for their recordings. The Uptown String Quartet has also performed for historical occasions such as the 70th Birthday Celebration of noted Noble literary prize winning author Toni Morrison, the French Embassy's tribute to Jessye Norman and the Lincoln Center tribute to the music of Benny Golson. The Uptown String Quartet has also been featured on numerous television shows which include "The Bill Cosby Show", "CBS Sunday Morning", "The Today Show", "The Charlie Rose Show", and "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood".
Lesa Terry's acclaimed premiere performance of "Reflections of Ellington" earned her the prestigious "Meet the Composer" grant as well as a the "New York Fund for New Work" award. Lesa also performed with the jazz great McCoy Tyner in affiliation with the Brooklyn Philharmonic and the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra of Los Angeles commissioned Lesa to compose an original work for jazz violin and orchestra for Fall of 2001.
Her credits also include membership in the Pasadena Symphony Orchestra,California (1979-82), Atlanta Symphony Orchestra,Georgia (1983-86), Nashville Symphony Orchestra,Tennesee (1986-88), Concordia Chamber Symphony,New York City (1995-99),Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (Fall 1999), San Louis Obispo Mozart Orchestra (Summer 1999).
Concertmaster and first violinist with a dozen Broadway shows including "Black and Blue", "Les Miserables", "Miss Saigon", "Phantom of the Opera", "Show Boat", "Ragtime" and " "The Wild Party". Ms Terry has played for many Motion Picture soundtacks including Spike Lee films, "Psycho" and "John Q".

NOTABLE COLLABORATIONS

Concerts and performances: Whitney Houston,Ray Charles, Vanessa Williams, Macy Grey, Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, Peabo Bryson, Jennifer Holliday, Smokey Robinson, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and Joe Williams.
Featured guest recording artist credits: with her cousin, legendary trumpet player, Clark Terry's,"Tribute to Duke and Louis"(1995), Yusef Lateef's,"Meditations"(1992), the music of Duke Ellington, "Black,Brown and Beige"(1993), and spoken word and poetry artist Nichelle Holiday's, "Rose Colored Glasses"(2000).
Uptown String Quartet debut CD recording "Max Roach Presents The Uptown String Quartet"(1990), this Grammy nominated recording created a new vision and understanding of compositional and performing possibilities for the string quartet. The second CD release "Just Wait A Minute" (1993),
featured arrangements and original compositions by the members of this ensemble.

MEDIA QUOTES

"...An easeful but authoritive violinist. Her strong lyrical jazz style made me want to hear more of her..." NAT HENTOFF

"...Terry's bluesy "Sugar Shuffle" is a virtuosic showcase for the composer/soloist, who improvises with the intuition of a Marsalis (any of them)..." SAN ANTONIO LIGHT

"...Lesa's solos burned (urgent beauty)..." JAZZ TIMES

"...Terry in particular came across as a mistress of tonal imagery...her violin could have been a saxophone, while using almost no vibrato, she drew the most subtle nuances out of it in "Midnight Child"....." SAN ANTONIO LIGHT

"...Terry is most "vocal". All her solos could have been sung. What she does with "Moose the Mooch" by Charlie
Parker is a fine a be-bop solo as this listener has ever heard...." MUSIC IN JERSEY/NEW JERSEY EXAMINER

"...Terry's "Midnight Child" is based on "Motherless Child" but, for all practical purposes, is a new and exquisite work. Her solo violin playing was magnificently expressive; her sumptous tone and perfect pitch were enriched by the flattened inflections of the blues...."
EXPRESS NEWS (San Antonio Times)

"...captivating to hear and a visual delight...."
THE FLINT JOURNAL


MISSION STATEMENT:
SPOTLIGHT PASSION

When Lesa Terry was born, the morning star sang a message of creative mastery.
The theme of her life is awakening through creative expression which she sings in many forms: excelling as a violinist in the European classical tradition and in the feild of Jazz as an educator, composer, arranger and band leader. Lesa's passion for the Negro Spiritual given early in her childhood by her Mother along with a love of Duke Ellington, inspires her commitment to a broadening of the scope of music, bringing awareness and focus to the violin as a diverse instrument of creativity. Lesa's mission is to establish the truth concerning the important role the violin plays in the continuing development of jazz.

ENJOY!